After devastating Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Cuba
Cuban authorities reported extensive flooding in low-lying regions from Santiago to Guantanamo early Wednesday following Hurricane Melissa's landfall. Officials confirmed that over 35 per cent of the population in these areas had been evacuated as a precaution before the storm arrived
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Weather Highlights:
Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, on Tuesday afternoon as historic Category 5 storm
The Category 3 hurricane hit eastern Cuba on Wednesday with winds of 195 km/h, bringing heavy rainfall of up to 500 mm, locally reaching 600 mm in mountainous areas. Life-threatening storm surges exceeding 3 metres and damaging winds are impacting the region
The storm's core is set to cross eastern Cuba on Wednesday, moving toward the southeastern or central Bahamas and approaching Bermuda by late Thursday. Melissa is expected to maintain its intensity as it progresses
Jamaica faces additional rainfall of 75 to 150 mm, bringing totals to 300 to 600 mm, with isolated peaks of 750 mm causing catastrophic flash flooding and landslides.
Southeastern Bahamas expect 125 to 250 mm of rainfall, and Turks and Caicos may see 25 to 75 mm. Southern Hispaniola could experience an additional 50 to 150 mm, with localized maximums of 1,000 mm
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba early Wednesday after causing significant damage in Jamaica, marking the strongest storm ever recorded in the Caribbean island’s history.
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Melissa struck the southern coast of eastern Cuba still as a major Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h. Heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and landslides are forecast through the day, with rainfall totals expected to reach up to 500 mm, and locally 600 mm in mountainous regions.
Life-threatening storm surges up to 3+ metres above normal tide levels are anticipated along the eastern Cuban coast, accompanied by damaging winds. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), hurricane-force winds extend up to 45 km from the centre, while tropical-storm-force winds reach outward up to 295 km.
Evacuations ahead of 'significant damage' in Cuba
Authorities reported that approximately 735,000 residents in eastern Cuba were evacuated ahead of Hurricane Melissa's arrival.
On Tuesday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel cautioned that the storm could lead to "significant damage" and called on residents to comply with evacuation orders for their safety.
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On its forecast path, Hurricane Melissa's core will cross eastern Cuba on Wednesday, move across the southeastern or central Bahamas, and approach Bermuda later Thursday into Thursday night.
Melissa is expected to maintain its strength as a powerful hurricane during this progression.
Days of rain: Devastating totals could reach up to 1000 mm
Melissa is expected to bring an additional 75 to 150 mm of rainfall to Jamaica, with storm total amounts reaching 300 to 600 mm. Isolated areas in mountainous terrain may see up to 750 mm. Ongoing catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides are expected to persist throughout the day and into the night.
In the southeastern Bahamas, storm total rainfall of 125 to 250 mm is forecast today, likely resulting in flash flooding in some areas. For the Turks and Caicos, rainfall totals are estimated between 25 to 75 mm. Heavy rainfall may begin impacting Bermuda on Thursday or Thursday night.
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Southern Hispaniola is expected to receive an additional 50 to 150 mm of rainfall Wednesday, with localized storm totals possibly reaching up to 1,000 mm in some areas. Residents in affected regions should prepare for continued hazardous conditions.
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Swells generated by Hurricane Melissa will continue impacting parts of Hispaniola, Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and the Cayman Islands over the next day, creating life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. These swells are now reaching the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands and are expected to spread toward Bermuda later this week.
Melissa may bring impacts to Atlantic Canada this weekend, and will be something to watch very closely.
Melissa already a historic hurricane
Hurricane Melissa quickly became the strongest storm recorded globally in 2025. At landfall in Jamaica, the hurricane's central pressure of 892 mb tied the record for the strongest pressure at landfall for any Atlantic hurricane, matching the Labor Day hurricane of 1935 in the Florida Keys.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season now marks three Category 5 hurricanes, making it the second season on record to see more than two storms of this magnitude. The only other season to surpass this was 2005, with four Category 5 hurricanes: Emily, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.
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Melissa is also the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Jamaica, surpassing every event since Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Gilbert made landfall as a Category 3 storm, bringing over 800 mm of rain, widespread landslides, power outages, and resulting in 49 fatalities.